San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1887-11-16
THREE Elton boys.
BY W. E. NORRIS.

De Vieuzac smiled, and Beauchamp
turned upon him ut once. whats that
you sayr" he asked, sharply.
81 assure you," answered the French
man, with exaggerated politeness, that 1
did not utter one word"
"You were thinking something,
though"
"Oh, for that, yes. / was thinking
something, / admit. was thinking that
sometimes it is very convenient to be rid
ing friends horse"
The words amounted TO studied insult,
and would unquestionably have been so
accepted in De Vieuzac's own country. In
France speeches of that kind are permissi-
bic, their consequences being of course,
well understood; but neither in France
nor elsewhere is it customary to offer such
direct provocation in the presence of a
lady, and Beauchamp went up several de-
grees in my esteem when he answered
quietly: Gwen discuss the question after
ward, if you like. We may as well ride
on now"
Hilda suddenly broke into short laugh,
touched her horse with the whip and gal
Hoped away. The two men followed her
confess that hurried back to the house
as fast as my legs would carry me- dis
like ana deprecate quarrels above every
thing; still, if quarrels must needs take
place, why should I not be there to see?
After De Vieuzac's inexcusable conduct,
felt that it would be real satisfaction to
me to see him knocked down, and l
thought that if / made great haste, l
might just manage to arrive in time. As
it turned out, 1 reached the front door
with several minutes to spare. From the
fight of steps which led up to it could
descry the riders, who, perhaps, had made
detour, approaching at q foot's pace,
and presently had the honor of assisting
Lady Bracknel to dismount
She stood for a moment, tapping her
foot with her riding whip, and looking
with an odd, satirical expression at the
rivals. "Au revoir," she said, nodding to
them; 81 am going to lie down till din
ner time" Then she made scarcely per-
ceptiEle sign with her hand to Beauchamp,
who run up the steps after her and accom-
panied her into the house.
De Vieuzac and l remained where we
were. suppose we both knew that Beau
champ would be out again directly. And
indeed the horses had hardly been led
away to the stables before he emerged and
made straight for us.
"Monseur de Vieuzac," said he, "you
limited just now that l was coward.
May | ask whether that was what you
meant ~
The Frenchman Strengthened his back,
brought his heels together, twirled his
mustache, and replied: "You are at lib
srty, sir, to place any construction upon
my words that may suit your pleasure"
'In good English, suppose that means
that you want to fight. If you had been
an Englishman l should have hit you
straight between the eyes, and it would
have done you a lot of good; but as you're
a FOREIGNER. Pm afraid we can't settle it
that way
1.-The method" observed De ViCuzac
sweetly, "seems little barbarous. For
me, confess that have not learned to
box; but with the sword or the pistol
shall be charmed to hold myself at your
disposition. You do not, perhaps, use
those weapOnsY
ooh, don't we, thought returned Beau
champ, with a short laugh. II shall be
happy to prove the contrary to you when
and where you please; only, of course, it
can't be in this country. If it's the same
thing to you, l should prefer to stay out
my time here; but next week will meet
you at Ostend or any other place you
choose to name"
The Frenchman bowed. at is usual, :"
said he, ''tO leave all details to be arranged
by the seconds in these affairs. Will you
then be so kind as to mention two gentle
men whose names and addresses may
give to the friends whom l shall ask to
represent me5"